Abstract
The present work probes the deposition of metallic coatings on high fiber volume fraction carbon/epoxy polymer matrix composites using pulsed gas dynamic spraying. Well-consolidated and well-adhered coatings of zinc and copper were successfully applied and initial trials with higher melting point metals have been promising. Two key aspects of the technique are the low temperatures involved and the presence of embedded ductile particles in the substrate. The embedded particles promote adhesion and eliminate the need for surface preparation procedures along with associated risks. The hardness and porosity of the zinc coatings deposited on polymer matrix composites were found to be comparable to that of similar coatings on metallic substrates.
